Treatment for CNS injuries

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to the use of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazole compounds and compositions in the treatment of CNS injuries to the brain.

This application is the §371 National Stage entery of PCT/US97/04702, filed Mar. 24, 1997 which claims the benefit of priority from provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/014,138 filed Mar. 25, 1996.

This invention relates to a novel use of imidazole compounds in the treatment of CNS injuries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) are biological substances produced by a variety of cells, such as monocytes or macrophages. IL-1 has been demonstrated to mediate a variety of biological activities thought to be important in immunoregulation and other physiological conditions such as inflammation [See, e.g., Dinarello et al., Rev. Infect. Disease, 6, 51 (1984)]. The myriad of known biological activities of IL-1 include the activation of T helper cells, induction of fever, stimulation of prostaglandin or collagenase production, neutrophil chemotaxis, induction of acute phase proteins and the suppression of plasma iron levels.

There are many disease states in which excessive or unregulated IL-1 production is implicated in exacerbating and/or causing the disease. These include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, endotoxemia and/or toxic shock syndrome, other acute or chronic inflammatory disease states such as the inflammatory reaction induced by endotoxin or inflammatory bowel disease; tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, muscle degeneration, cachexia, psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, traumatic arthritis, rubella arthritis, and acute synovitis. Recent evidence also links IL-1 activity to diabetes and pancreatic β cells.

Dinarello, J. Clinical Immunology, 5 (5), 287-297 (1985), reviews the biological activities which have been attributed to IL-1. It should be noted that some of these effects have been described by others as indirect effects of IL-1.

Excessive or unregulated TNF production has been implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions; sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoisosis, bone resorption diseases, reperfusion injury, graft vs. host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy, cachexia, secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), keloid formation, scar tissue formation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or pyresis.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemotactic factor first identified and characterized in 1987. IL-8 is produced by several cell types including mononuclear cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes. Its production from endothelial cells is induced by IL-1, TNF, or lipopolysachharide (LPS). Human IL-8 has been shown to act on Mouse, Guinea Pig, Rat, and Rabbit Neutrophils. Many different names have been applied to IL-8, such as neutrophil attractant/activation protein-1 (NAP-1), monocyte derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF), neutrophil activating factor (NAF), and T-cell lymphocyte chemotactic factor.

IL-8 stimulates a number of functions in vitro. It has been shown to have chemoattractant properties for neutrophils, T-lymphocytes, and basophils. In addition it induces histamine release from basophils from both normal and atopic individuals as well as lysozomal enzyme release and respiratory burst from neutrophils. IL-8 has also been shown to increase the surface expression of Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) on neutrophils without de novo protein synthesis, this may contribute to increased adhesion of the neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells. Many diseases are characterized by massive neutrophil infiltration.

IL-1 and TNF affect a wide variety of cells and tissues and these cytokines as well as other leukocyte derived cytokines are important and critical inflammatory mediators of a wide variety of disease states and conditions. The inhibition of these cytokines is of benefit in controlling, reducing and alleviating many of these disease states.

There remains a need for the treatment, and for the prevention of CNS injuries, which are related to the ability of compounds which are cytokine suppressive, i.e. compounds which are capable of inhibiting cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of CSAID™ cytokine suppressive compounds, or pharmaceutical compositions thereof in the treatment of CNS injuries, such as head trauma, and ischemia.

The preferred compounds for use as cytokine inhibitors are those compounds of Formula (I) as noted herein. The preferred method of inhibition is the inhibition of the CSBP/p38/RK kinase pathway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a means of treating, in an acute setting, as well as preventing, in those individuals deemed susceptible to, CNS injuries by the group of compounds entitled CSAID™ cytokine suppressive compounds, of which many are now documented in the art. A preferred group of these cytokine suppressive compounds are described herein as compounds of Formula (I).

CNS injuries as defined herein include both open or penetrating head trauma, such as by surgery, or a closed head trauma injury, such as by an injury to the head region. Also included within this definition is ischermic stroke, particularly to the brain area.

Ischemic stroke may be defined as a focal neurologic disorder that results from insufficient blood supply to a particular brain area, usually as a consequence of an embolus, thrombi, or local atheromatous closure of the blood vessel. The role of inflammatory cytokines in this are has been emerging and the present invention provides a mean for the potential treatment of these injuries. Relatively little treatment, for an acute injury such as these has been available.

TNF-α is a cytokine with proinflammatory actions, including endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule expression. Leukocytes infiltrate into ischemic brain lesions and hence compounds which inhibit or decrease levels of TNF would be useful for treatment of ischemic brain injury. See Liu et al., Stoke, Vol. 25., No. 7, pp 1481-88 (1994) whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Models of closed head injuries and treatment with mixed 5-LO/CO agents is discussed in Shohami et al., J. of Vaisc & Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 99-107 (1992) whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Treatment which reduced edema formation was found to improve functional outcome in those animals treated.

Compounds for use herein include the cytokine inhibitors as described in U.S. Ser. No. 08/091,491, published as WO95/02575; WO96/21452; U.S. Ser. Nos. 08/369,964; 08/473,396; 08/659,102; 08/764,003; WO96/40143; U.S. Ser. No. 08/473,398; WO96/21654; WO 93/14081; U.S. Ser. No. 08/095,234; WO 95/03297; U.S. Ser. No. 08/481,671; PCT/US97/00619; PCT/US97/00614; PCT/US97/00500; PCT/US97/00529; U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/013,357; 60/013,358; 60/013,359; WO93/14082; WO95/13067; and WO95/31451. Each of these references are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Preferred compounds for use as cytokine inhibitors are those compounds of Formula (I) as noted herein. Synthetic chemistry and methods of pharmaceutical formulations thereof are also contained within each noted patent application. A description of the assay for inhibition of the cytokine specific binding protein (CSBP) is also found in WO95/07922, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for use of a compound of Formula (I):

wherein:

R₁ is 4-pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, quinazolin-4-yl, quinolyl, isoquinolinyl, 1-imidazolyl or 1-benzimidazolyl which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents each of which is independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkylthio, NH₂, mono- or di-C₁₋₆-alkylamino or N-heterocyclyl ring which ring has from 5 to 7 members and optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₂₂;

R₂ is hydrogen, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n) OR₁₂, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NO₂, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CN, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)SO₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n40) C(Z)NR₁₃OR₁₂, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)N(OR₂₁)C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(═NOR₂₁)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(═NR₂₇)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OC(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)OR₁₀, 5-(R₂₅)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl or 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl; wherein the cyloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclylalkyl moieties may be optionally substituted;

n is 0, or an integer from 1 to 10;

n′ is an integer having a value of 1 to 10;

m is 0, or the integer having a value of 1 or 2;

m′ is an integer having a value of 1 or 2;

m″ is an integer having a value of 1 or 2;

m′″ is 0, or an integer of 1;

v is 0, or an integer having a value of 1 to 5;

t is a number having a value of 1, 2 or 3;

R₃ is —X_(a)P(Z)(X_(b)R₁₃)₂ or Q—(Y₁)_(t);

Q is an aryl or heteroaryl group;

X_(a) is —NR₈—, —O—, —S— or a C₁₋₁₀ alkylene chain optionally substituted by C₁₋₄ alkyl and optionally interrupted by —NR₈—, —O— or —S—;

X_(b) is —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n), —NR₈—, —O— or —S—;

Z is oxygen or sulfur;

Y₁ is independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₅ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₅ alkyl, halogen, —X_(a)—P(Z)—(X_(b)R₁₃)₂ or —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)Y₂;

Y₂ is —OR₈, —NO₂, —S(O)_(m″)R₁₁, —SR₈, —S(O)_(m″)OR₈, —S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, —NR₈R₉, —O(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, —C(O)R₈, —CO₂R₈, —CO₂(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CONR₈R₉, —ZC(O)R₈, —CN, —C(Z)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, —C(Z)NR₈OR₉, —NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀S(O)_(m″)R₁₁, —N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, —N(OR₂₁)C(Z)R₈, —C(═NOR₂₁)R₈, —NR₁₀C(═NR₁₅)SR₁₁, —NR₁₀C(═NR₁₅)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(═CR₁₄R₂₄)SR₁₁, —NR₁₀C(═CR₁₄R₂₄)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(O)C(O)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(O)C(O)OR₁₀—C(═NR₁₃)NR₈R₉, —C(═NOR₁₃)NR₈R₉, —C(═NR₁₃)ZR₁₁, —OC(Z)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀S(O)_(m″)CF₃, —NR₁₀C(Z)OR₁₀, 5—(R₁₈)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl or 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl;

R₄ is phenyl, naphth-1-yl or naphth-2-yl which is optionally substituted by one or two substituents, each of which is independently selected, and which, for a 4-phenyl, 4-naphth-1-yl or 5-naphth-2-yl substituent, is halo, cyano, —C(Z)NR₇R₁₇, —C(Z)OR₂₃, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′″)COR₃₆, SR₅, —SOR₅, —OR₃₆, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —ZC(Z)R₃₆, 13 NR₁₀C(Z)R₂₃, or —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′″)NR₁₀R₂₀ and which, for other positions of substitution, is halo, cyano, —C(Z)NR₁₆R₂₆, —C(Z)OR₈, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(v) COR₈, —S(O)_(m)R₈, —OR₈, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, —C₁₋₄ alkyl, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(v) NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, —NR₁₀S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, —NR₁₀S(O)_(m′)NR₇R₁₇—ZC(Z)R₈ or —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′)NR₁₆R₂₆;R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl or NR₇R₁₇, excluding the moieties SR₅ being —SNR₇R₁₇ and —SOR₅ being —SOH;

R₆ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl or C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl;

R₇ and R₁₇ is each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl or R₇ and R₁₇ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₂₂;

R₈ is hydrogen, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl or R₁₁;

R₉ is hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl or R₈ and R₉ may together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂;

R₁₀ and R₂₀ is each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl;

R₁₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl;

R₁₂ is hydrogen, —C(Z)R₁₃ or optionally substituted C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylC₁₋₄ alkyl, or S(O)₂R₂₅;

R₁₃ is hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaryl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl;

R₁₄ and R₂₄ is each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, nitro or cyano;

R₁₅ is hydrogen, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl or aryl;

R₁₆ and R₂₆ is each independently selected from hydrogen or optionally substituted C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or together with the nitrogen which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂;

R₁₈ and R₁₉ is each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylalkyl or together denote a oxygen or sulfur;

R₂₁ is hydrogen, a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl C₁₋₄ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, aroyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkanoyl;

R₂₂ is R₁₀ or C(Z)—C₁₋₄ alkyl;

R₂₃ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl;

R₃₆ is hydrogen or R₂₃;

R₂₅ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl;

R₂₇ is hydrogen, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, or aryl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In Formula (I), suitable R₁ moieties includes 4-pyridyl, 4-pyrirnidinyl, 4-quinolyl, 6-isoquinolinyl, quinazolin-4-yl, 1-imidazolyl and 1-benzimidazolyl, of which 4-pyridyl, 4-pyrimidinyl and 4-quinolyl, are preferred. More preferably R₁ is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group. A preferred substituent for all R₁ moieties is alkoxy, alkylthio, alcylsulfinyl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, and NR₁₀R₂₀, preferably where R₁₀ and R₂₀ are hydrogen or methyl, more preferably R₁₀ and R₂₀ are hydrogen. Preferred ring placement of the R₁ substituent on the 4-pyridyl derivative is the 2-position, such as 2-methyl-4-pyridyl. Preferred ring placement on the 4-pyrimidinyl is also at the 2-position, such as 2-methylpyrimidine or 2-amino-pyrimidine.

Suitably, R₂ is hydrogen, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n) OR₁₂, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkylC₁₋₄ alkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NO₂, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CN, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)SO₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)NR₁₃OR₁₂, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)N(OR₂₁)C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(═NOR₂₁)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(═NR₂₇)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OC(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)OR₁₀, 5-(R₂₅)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl or 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl; wherein the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclylalkyl moieties may be optionally substituted.

Preferably R₂ is hydrogen, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl ring, and optionally substituted heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, an optionally substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃ group, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, an optionally substituted aryl; an optionally substituted arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′′OR) ₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)R₁₃ or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(═NOR₂₁)R₁₃.

Suitably, R₂ is hydrogen, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl ring, and optionally substituted heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, an optionally substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃ group, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, an optionally substituted aryl; an optionally substituted arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)R₁₃, or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(═NOR₂₁)R₁₃.

When R₂ is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl the ring is preferably a morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, or a piperidinyl group. When the ring is optionally substituted the substituents may be directly attached to the free nitrogen, such as in the piperidinyl group or pyrrole ring, or on the ring itself. Preferably the ring is a piperidine or pyrrole, more preferably piperidine. The heterocyclyl ring may be optionally substituted one to four times independently by halogen; C₁₋₄ alkyl; aryl, such as phenyl; aryl alkyl, such as benzyl—wherein the aryl or aryl alkyl moieties themselves may be optionally substituted (as in the definition section below); C(O)OR₁₃, such as the C(O)C₁₋₄ alkyl or C(O)OH moieties; C(O)H; C(O)C₁₋₄ alkyl, hydroxy substituted C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, S(O)_(m)C₁₋₄ alkyl (wherein m is 0, 1, or 2), NR₁₀R₂₀ (wherein R₁₀ and R₂₀ are independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl).

Preferably if the ring is a piperidine, the ring is attached to the imidazole at the 4-position, and the substituents are directly on the available nitrogen, i.e. a 1-Formyl-4-piperidine, 1-benzyl-4-piperidine, 1-methyl-4-piperidine, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-piperidine. If the ring is substituted by an alkyl group and the ring is attached in the 4-position, it is preferably substituted in the 2 or 6 position or both, such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidine. Similarly, if the ring is a pyrrole, the ring is attached to the imidazole at the 3-position, and the substituents are also directly on the available nitrogen.

When R₂ is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group, the ring is preferably a morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, or a piperidinyl group. Preferably this alkyl moiety is from 1 to 4, more preferably 3 or 4, and most preferably 3, such as in a propyl group. Preferred heterocyclic alkyl groups include but are not limited to, morpholino ethyl, morpholino propyl, pyrrollidinyl propyl, and piperidinyl propyl moieties. The heterocyclic ring herein is also optionally substituted in a similar manner to that indicated above for the direct attachment of the heterocyclyl.

When R₂ is an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, the cycloalkyl group is preferably a C₅ to C₆ ring which ring may be optionally substituted one or more times independently by halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; hydroxy; C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy, such as methoxy or ethoxy; S(O)_(m) alkyl, wherein m is 0, 1, or 2, such as methyl thio, methylsulfinyl or methyl sulfonyl; amino, mono & di-substituted amino, such as in the NR₇R₁₇ group; or where the R₇R₁₇ may cyclize together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a 5 to 7 membered ring which optionally includes an additional heteroatom selected from O/N/S; C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, or t-butyl; halosubstituted alkyl, such as CF₃; hydroxy substituted C₁₋₁₀alkyl; C(O)OR₁₃, such as the free acid or methyl ester derivative; an optionally substituted aryl, such as phenyl; an optionally substituted arylalkyl, such as benzyl or phenethyl; and further where these aryl or aryl alkyl moieties may also be substituted one to two times by halogen; hydroxy; C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy; S(O)_(m) alkyl; amino, mono & di-substituted amino, such as in the NR₇R₁₇ group; alkyl or halosubstituted alkyl.

When R₂ is (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, and R₈ and R₉ are as defined in Formula (I), preferably R₈ and R₉ are each independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or together with the nitrogen which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂. It is recognized that in some instances this can yield the same moiety as a heterocyclic C₁₋₁₀ alkyl moiety noted above which is also a suitable R₂ variable. Preferably R₈ and R₉ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, preferably methyl, or benzyl. The n term is preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 3 or 4, and most preferably 3, such as in a propyl group. Preferred groups include, but are not limited to, aminopropyl, (N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminopropyl, (N-Phenyl-methyl)amino-1-propyl, or diethylamino propyl.

When R₂ is a (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃ group, R₁₃ is suitably hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, especially methyl. The n′ term is preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 2 or 3, such as in an ethyl or propyl group. Preferred groups include, but are not limited to, carboxymethyl-1-butyl, carboxy-1-propyl, or 2-acetoxyethyl.

When R₂ is a (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅ group m is 0, 1, or 2, and R₁₈ is preferably aryl, especially phenyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, especially methyl. The n term is preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 2 or 3, such as in an ethyl or propyl group.

When R₂ is a (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OR₁₃ group, R₁₃ is suitably hydrogen, aryl, especially phenyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl. The n term is preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 2 or 3, such as in an ethyl or propyl group.

When R₂ is a (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅ group, R₂₅ is suitably alkyl, especially methyl. The n term is preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 2 or 3, such as in an ethyl or propyl group.

When R₂ is a optionally substituted aryl, the aryl is preferably phenyl. The aryl ring may be optionally substituted one or more times, preferably by one or two substituents, independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, especially fluoro or chloro, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)OR₁₃, (wherein t is 0, or an integer of 1 to 4), —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)NR₁₀R₂₀, especially amino or mono- or di-alkylamino —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, wherein m is 0, 1 or 2; —SH—, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)—NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈ (such —NHCO(C₁₋₁₀ alkyl)); —NR₁₀S(O)_(m)R₂₅ (such as —NHSO₂(C₁₋₁₀ alkyl)). Preferably the phenyl is substituted in the 3 or 4-position by —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, and R₂₅ is preferably C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, especially methyl.

When R₂ is an optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl group the ring may be optionally substituted one or more times, preferably by one or two substituents, independently selected from one or more times, by C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, especially fluoro or chloro, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)OR₁₃, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)NR₁₀R₂₀, especially amino or mono- or di-alkylamino —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(t)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, wherein m is 0, 1 or 2; —SH—, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)—NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈ (such —NHCO(C₁₋₁₀ alkyl)); —NR₁₀S(O)_(m)R₂₅ (such as —NHSO₂(C₁₋₁₀ alkyl)); t is 0, or an integer of 1 to 4.

One skilled in the art would readily recognize that when R₂ is a (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)OC(Z)R₁₃, or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)OC(Z)NR₈R₉ moiety, or any similarly substituted group that n is preferably at least 2 which will allow for the synthesis of stable compounds.

Preferably R₂ is a C₁₋₄ alkyl (branched and unbranched), a methylthio propyl, a methylsulfinyl propyl, an amino propyl, N-methyl-N-benzylamino propyl group, diethylamino propyl, cyclopropyl methyl, morpholinyl butyl, morpholinyl propyl, a morpholinyl ethyl, a piperidine or a substituted piperidine. More preferably R₂ is isopropyl; butyl; t-butyl; n-propyl; methylthiopropyl or methylsulfinyl propyl; morpholino propyl; morpholinyl butyl; phenyl substituted by halogen, thioalkyl or sulfinyl alkyl such as a methylthio, methylsulfinyl or methylsulfonyl moiety; piperidinyl; 1-Formyl-4-piperidine; 1-benzyl-4-piperidine; 1-methyl-4-piperidine, or a 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-piperidine.

Suitably, R₃ is —X_(a)P(Z)(X_(b)R₁₃)₂ or Q—(Y₁)_(t). Preferably, the R₃ moiety is Q—(Y₁)_(t) and Q is an (un)substituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, when Q is an aryl, it is phenyl, and when Q is a heteroaryl, preferred groups include thienyl, pyrrole, pyridine, or pyrimidine. More preferred Q is phenyl. Q is independently substituted 1 to 3 times by Y₁. Preferably t is 1 or 2. More preferably, when R₃ is mono-substituted phenyl, the substituent is located at the 4-position.

Preferably Q is substituted by 1 or 2 substituents which include halogen, C₁₋₅ alkyl and —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)Y₂ wherein Y₂ is —OR₈, —NO₂, —S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, —SR₈, —S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉; —NR₈R₉, —O(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)NR₈R₉, —C(O)R₈, —CO₂ R₈, —CO₂(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CONR₈R₉, —CN; —C(Z)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀S(O)_(m)R₁₁, —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, —NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, —C(Z)NR₈OR₉, —N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, —NR₁₀C(═NR₁₅)NR₈R₉, —C(═NOR₁₃)NR₈R₉, 5-(R₁₈)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl and 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl.

Preferred substituents Y₁ for use in R₃ when the aryl or heteroaryl group Q is mono-substituted include —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)Y₂ wherein: n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 0 or 1; and Y₂ is —OR₈, especially where R₈ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —NO₂; —S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, especially where R₁₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —SR₈, especially where R₈ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is each hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or R₈ and R₉ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a 5 to 7 membered ring which optionally includes another heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂ and m is 2; n′ is 1 to 10; —NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is each hydrogen, methyl or benzyl or R₈ and R₉ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a 5 to 7 membered ring which optionally includes another heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂; —O(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is each C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —C(O)R₈, especially where R₈ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —CO₂R₈, especially where R₈ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —CO₂(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CONR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —CN; —C(Z)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —NR₁₀S(O)_(m)R₁₁, especially where R₁₀ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl and R₁₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or a halosubstituted; —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, especially where R₈ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl and R₁₀ is hydrogen and Z is oxygen; —C(Z)NR₈OR₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is each hydrogen and Z is oxygen; —NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is each hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl and Z is oxygen; —N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ especially where R₈, R₉ and R₂₁ is each hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl and Z is oxygen; —C(═NOR₁₃)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈, R_(9 and R) ₁₃ is each hydrogen; —NR₁₀C(═NR₁₅)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or arylalkyl and R₁₅ is cyano; and 5-(R₁₈)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl and 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, especially where R₁₂ is hydrogen and R₁₈ and R₁₉ is each hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or together are oxo.

Preferred substituents for use in R₃ when the aryl or heteroaryl group Q is disubstituted include those hereinbefore listed for use when Q is mono-substituted and, as further substituent(s), halogen and C₁₋₁₀ alkyl. When R₃ is phenyl substituted with two or three substituents, the alkyl moieties preferably have from one to three carbons, more preferably one. Preferred ring positions for two substituents are the 3- and 4-positions and, for three substituents, the 3-, 4- and 5-positions. The substituent at the 3- and 5-positions is preferably C₁₋₂ alkyl, such as methyl, or halogen, such as bromo, fluoro or chloro, while the substituent at the 4-position is preferably hydroxyl.

More preferably, for R₃ substituents wherein Y₁ is (CR₁₀R20)_(n)Y₂, n is 0 or 1 and Y₂ is —OH, —S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, especially where R₁₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —SR₈, especially where R₈ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl alkyl, or aryl or R₈ and R₉ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or morpholinyl ring, more preferably the R₈ and R₉ terms in the NR₈R₉ moiety are hydrogen, methyl or benzyl; —CO₂R₈, especially where R₈ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —S(O)_(m′)NR₈R₉, especially where R₈ and R₉ is each hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; —NR₁₀S(O)_(m)R₁₁, especially where R₁₀ is hydrogen and R₁₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or 5-(R₁₈)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl and 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, especially where R₁₂ is hydrogen and R₁₈ and R₁₉ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or together are oxo.

In all instances herein where there is an alkenyl or alkynyl moiety as a substituent group, such as in R₅, R₈, R_(9, or R) ₁₁ the unsaturated linkage, i.e., the vinylene or acetylene linkage is preferably not directly attached to the nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur moieties, for instance in Y₂ as C(Z)NR₈OR₉, NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, or OR₈.

As used herein, “optionally substituted” unless specifically defined shall mean such groups as halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; hydroxy; hydroxy substituted C₁₋₁₀alkyl; C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy, such as methoxy or ethoxy; S(O)m alkyl, wherein m is 0, 1 or 2, such as methyl thio, methylsulfinyl or methyl sulfonyl; amino, mono & di-C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted amino, such as in the NR₇R₁₇ group; or where the R₇R₁₇ may together with the nitrogen to which they are attached cyclize to form a 5 to 7 membered ring which optionally includes an additional heteroatom selected from O/N/S; C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkyl alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, etc. or cyclopropyl methyl; halosubstituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, such CF₃; halosubstituted C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy; an optionally substituted aryl, such as phenyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, such as benzyl or phenethyl, wherein these aryl moieties may also be substituted one to two times by halogen, hydroxy, hydroxy substituted alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy, S(O)_(m) alkyl, amino, mono & di-substituted amino, such as in the NR₇R₁₇ group, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, or CF₃.

When R₃ includes a X_(a)—P(Z)(X_(b)R₁₃)₂ group linked either directly to the imidazole ring or indirectly via an aryl or heteroaryl group, X_(a) is suitably oxygen or C₁₋₄ alkylene, optionally interupted by oxygen, for instance —CH₂OCH₂— and Z and X_(b) is each oxygen, such that the preferred groups include —OP(O)(OR₁₃)₂ and —CH₂OCH₂—P(O)(OR₁₃)₂.

Preferred substitutions for R₄ when it is a 4-phenyl, 4-naphth-1-yl or 5-naphth-2-yl moiety are one or two substituents each independently selected from halogen, —SR₅, —SOR₅, —OR₃₆, or —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′″)NR₁₀R₂₀, and for other positions of substitution on these rings preferred substitution is halogen, —S(O)_(m)R₈, —OR₈, —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′)NR₁₆R₂₆, —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈ and —NR₁₀S(O)_(m′)R₁₁. More preferred substituents for the 4-position in phenyl and naphth-1-yl and on the 5-position in naphth-2-yl include halogen, especially fluoro and chloro, and —SR₅ and —SOR₅ wherein R₅ is preferably a C₁₋₂ alkyl, more preferably methyl; of which fluoro is especially preferred. Preferred substituents for the 3-position in phenyl and naphth-1-yl include: halogen, especially chloro; —OR₈, especially C₁₋₄ alkoxy; amino; —NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, especially —NHCO(C₁₋₁₀ alkyl); and NR₁₀S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, especially —NHSO₂(C₁₋₁₀ alkyl). Preferably, the R₄ moiety is an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl moiety. More preferably, R₄ is phenyl or phenyl substituted at the 4-position with fluoro and/or substituted at the 3-position with fluoro, chloro, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, methanesulfonamido or acetamido.

A preferred grouping of formula (I) are those compounds wherein R₂ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted heterocyclic alkyl, an optionally substituted heterocyclic, optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀OR₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)R₁₃, or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(═NOR₂₁)R₁₃; and R₁, R₃, and R₄ are as defined for Formula (I).

More preferred are those compounds wherein R₂ is 4-hydroxycyclohexyl, 4-methyl-4-hydroxy cyclohexyl, 4-pyrrolinindyl-cyclohexyl, 4-methyl-4-aminocyclohexyl, 4-methyl-4-acetamidocyclohexyl, 4-keto cyclohexyl, 4-oxiranyl, or 4-hydroxy-4-(1-propynyl)cyclohexyl morpholinyl butyl, morpholinyl propyl, morpholinyl ethyl, 1-Formyl-4-piperidinyl, 1-benzyl-4-piperidinyl, 1-methyl-4-piperidinyl, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-piperidinyl, phenyl substituted by halogen, thioalkyl or sulfinyl alkyl such as a methylthio, methylsulfinyl or methylsulfonyl moiety; and R₁, R₃, and R₄ are as defined for Formula (I).

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known to those skilled in the art and include basic salts of inorganic and organic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methane sulphonic acid, ethane sulphonic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, phenylacetic acid and mandelic acid. In addition, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of formula (I) may also be formed with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, for instance, if a substituent Y₁ in R₃ comprises a carboxy group. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable cations are well known to those skilled in the art and include alkaline, alkaline earth, ammnonium and quarternary ammonium cations.

The following terms, as used herein, refer to:

“halo”—all halogens, that is chloro, fluoro, bromo and iodo;

“C₁₋₁₀alkyl” or “alkyl”—both straight and branched chain radicals of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, unless the chain length is otherwise limited, including, but not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, and the like;

The term “cycloalkyl” is used herein to mean cyclic radicals, preferably of 3 to 8 carbons, including but not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like.

The term “cycloalkenyl” is used herein to mean cyclic radicals, preferably of 5 to 8 carbons, which have at least one bond including but not limited to cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and the like.

“aryl”—phenyl and naphthyl;

“heteroaryl” (on its own or in any combination, such as “heteroaryloxy”)—a 5-10 membered aromatic ring system in which one or more rings contain one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O or S, such as, but not limited, to pyrrole, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyridine, pyrimidine, oxazole, thiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, imidazole, or benzimidazole;

“heterocyclic” (on its own or in any combination, such as “heterocyclylalkyl”)—a saturated or wholly or partially unsaturated 4-10 membered ring system in which one or more rings contain one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, or S; such as, but not limited to, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, imidazolidine or pyrazolidine;

“aroyl”—a C(O)Ar, wherein Ar is as phenyl, naphthyl, or aryl alkyl derivative such as defined above, such group include but are note limited to benzyl and phenethyl;

“alkanoyl”—a C(O)C₁₋₁₀alkyl wherein the alkyl is as defined above;

“sulfinyl”—the oxide S(O) of the corresponding sulfide, while the term “thio” refers to the sulfide;

The term “aralkyl” or “heteroarylalkyl” or “heterocyclicalkyl” is used herein to mean an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic moiety as respectively defined above said group connected to C₁₋₆ alkyl group as also defined above unless otherwise indicated.

The compounds of the present invention may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may exist in racemic and optically active forms. All of these compounds are included within the scope of the present invention.

For the purposes herein of nomenclature, the compounds of formula (I) are named by their position corresponding to:

Exemplified compounds of formula (I) include:

2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

1-Methyl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-imidazole

2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-1-methyl-4-phenyl-5(4-pyridyl)imidazole

2-(4-Aminomethylphenyl)-1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-imidazole

4-[1-Methyl-4-phenyl-5(4-pyridyl)-imidazol-2-yl]benzoic acid, sodium salt

2-(4-Acetamidomethyphenyl)-1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

Methyl-4-[1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-imidazol-2-yl]benzoate

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-N-1-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzoic acid

2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-N-hydroxy-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

2-(4-Aminomethylphenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-1-hydroxy-5-(4-quinolyl)imidazole

2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-quinolyl)-1H-imidazole

2-(3,5-Dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

Ethyl 4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)]-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzoate

2-[3,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy(phenyl)]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

Methyl 4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzoate

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

N,N-Dimethyl-4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzamide

2-[(4-N,N-Dimethyl)aminomethylphenyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

2-[4-(Dimethylamino)phenyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

2-[4-(3-Dimethylaminopropoxy)phenyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-iniidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

N,N-Dimethyl-4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzoyl-oxyacetamide

2-(4-Aminophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]phenyl-sulfonamide

N′-Cyano-N-4-[4-(fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzylguanidine

2-[4-(Methanesulfonamnido)methylphenyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

2-(4Amnino-3-iodophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-l1H-imidazole

N-Benzyl-N-methyl-4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzamnide

2-[4-(N-Benzyl-N-methyl)aminomethylphenyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-N-1-hydroxy-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-quinolyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-quinolyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-quinolyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Chlorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Chlorophenyl)-N-1-hydroxy-2-(4-methylthio-phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Chlorophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-formamidomethylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzohydroxamic acid

O-Benzyl-4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzohydroxamic acid

4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzamidoxime

N″-Methyl-N′-cyano-N-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzylguanidine

N-1-Hydroxy-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

Morpholino-4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzamide

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(2-methylpyridyl)]-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(2-methylpyridyl)]-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-N-1-hydroxy-5-(4-pyrimidinyl)-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyrimidinyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylpheny)-5-(4-pyrimidinyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylpheny)-5-(4-pyrimidinyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-Morpholinomethylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxymethyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzaldehyde

4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

N-1-Hydroxy-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylthio-phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

3-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]phenyl-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole

3-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]phenyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole

4-(3-Aminophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

N-1-Hydroxy-2-(4-methylthophenyl)-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

2-(4-Methylthiophenyl)-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Methanesulfonamidophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

3-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-(4H)-one

4-(3-Acetamidophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-N-hydroxy-5-[4-(2-methylpyridyl)]-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-imidazole

3-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-phenyl-5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole

N-Hydroxy-N-1-[4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]phenyl]ethyl]urea

N-Hydroxy-N-[4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]phenyl]methyl urea

4-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-2-(4-morpholinomethylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Methylsulfinylphenyl)-2-(4-morpholinomethylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(3-Methanesulfonamidophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

2-(4-Ethylthiophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

2-(4-Ethylsulfinylphenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-[(4-(4-methyl-1-piperzinyl)-sulfonyl-phenyl]-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(N-methylmethanesulfonamido)-methylphenyl]-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

Diethyl [1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-imidazol-2-yl]methoxy]methylphosphonate

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(3-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-1-(N-morpholinopropyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-1-(N-morpholinopropyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(N-morpholinopropyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-(methylthio-1-propyl)-2-([4-N-morpholinomethyl]phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-(methylsulfinyl-1-propyl)-2-([4-N-morpholinomethyl]phenyl)5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl-1-propyl)-2-([4-N-morpholinomethyl]phenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Compounds of formula (I) are imidazole derivatives which may be readily prepared using procedures well-known to those skilled in the art, and described in, for instance, Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry, ed Katritzky and Rees, Pergamon Press, 1984, 5, 457-497, from starting materials which are either commercially available or can be prepared from such by analogy with well-known processes. A key step in many such syntheses is the formation of the central imidazole nucleus, to give compounds of formula (I). Suitable procedures are described in inter alia U.S. Pat Nos. 3,707,475 and 3,940,486 which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. These patents describe the synthesis of α-diketones and α-hydroxyketones (benzoins) and their subsequent use in preparing imidazoles and N-hydroxyl imidazoles. Thereafter, further compounds of formula (I) may be obtained by manipulating substituents in any of the groups R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ using conventional functional group interconversion procedures.

Methods of making compounds of Formula (I) may also be found in U.S. Ser. No. 08/277,804 filed Jul. 20, 1994 whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Methods of Treatment

The compounds of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of any disease state in a human, or other mammal, which is exacerbated or caused by a neurotramatic event, such as closed head injuries.

Compounds of Formula (I) are capable of inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF and are therefore of use in therapy. IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF affect a wide variety of cells and tissues and these cytokines, as well as other leukocyte-derived cytokines, are important and critical inflammatory mediators of a wide variety of disease states and conditions. The inhibition of these pro-inflammatory cytokines is of benefit in controlling, reducing and alleviating many of these disease states.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for method of treating a neurotraumatic disease, in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a CSAID™ cytokine suppresive compound, wherein the compound is an inhibitor of CSBP/p38/RK kinase. Preferably, the cytokine inhibitor is a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The discovery that the compounds of Formula (I) are inhibitors of cytokines, specifically IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF, and CNSP/p38 is based upon the effects of the compounds of Formulas (I) on the production of the IL-1, IL-8 and TNF in in vitro assays which are described herein, or based upon the kinase or binding assay for CBSP as also described herein.

As used herein, the term “inhibiting the production of IL-1 (IL-6, IL-8 or TNF)” refers to:

a) a decrease of excessive in vivo levels of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF) in a human to normal or sub-normal levels by inhibition of the in vivo release of the cytokine by all cells, including but not limited to monocytes or macrophages;

b) a down regulation, at the genomic level, of excessive in vivo levels of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF) in a human to normal or sub-normal levels;

c) a down regulation, by inhibition of the direct synthesis of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF) as a postranslational event; or

d) a down regulation, at the translational level, of excessive in vivo levels of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF) in a human to normal or sub-normal levels.

As used herein, the term “cytokine interfering” or “cytokine suppressive amount” refers to an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) which will cause a decrease in the in vivo levels of the cytokine to normal or sub-normal levels, when given to a patient for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state which is exacerbated by, or caused by, excessive or unregulated cytokine production.

As used herein, the term “CSBP, p38, or RK kinase” means a member of the MAP kinase family, which has been identified independently by several laboratories, and is described in detail in WO95/07922. Activation of this novel protein kinase via dual phosphorylation has been observed in different cell systems upon stimulation by a wide spectrum of stimuli, such as physicochemical stress and treatment with lipopolysaccharide or proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor.

In order to use a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in therapy, it will normally be Formulated into a pharmaceutical composition in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice. This invention, therefore, also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective, non-toxic amount of a compound of Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such may conveniently be administered by any of the routes conventionally used for drug administration, for instance, orally, topically, parenterally or by inhalation. The compounds of Formula (I) may be administered in conventional dosage forms prepared by combining a compound of Formula (I) with standard pharmaceutical carriers according to conventional procedures. The compounds of Formula (I) may also be administered in conventional dosages in combination with a known, second therapeutically active compound. These procedures may involve mixing, granulating and compressing or dissolving the ingredients as appropriate to the desired preparation. It will be appreciated that the form and character of the pharmaceutically acceptable character or diluent is dictated by the amount of active ingredient with which it is to be combined, the route of administration and other well-known variables. The carrier(s) must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The pharmaceutical carrier employed may be, for example, either a solid or liquid. Exemplary of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and the like. Exemplary of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, water and the like. Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include time delay material well known to the art, such as glyceryl mono-stearate or glyceryl distearate alone or with a wax.

A wide variety of pharmaceutical forms can be employed. Thus, if a solid carrier is used, the preparation can be tableted, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or in the form of a troche or lozenge. The amount of solid carrier will vary widely but preferably will be from about 25 mg. to about 1 g. When a liquid carrier is used, the preparation will be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule, sterile injectable liquid such as an ampule or nonaqueous liquid suspension.

Compounds of Formula (I) may be administered topically, that is by non-systemic administration. This includes the application of a compound of Formula (I) externally to the epidermis or the buccal cavity and the instillation of such a compound into the ear, eye and nose, such that the compound does not significantly enter the blood stream. In contrast, systemic administration refers to oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal and intramuscular administration.

Formulations suitable for topical administration include liquid or semi-liquid preparations suitable for penetration through the skin to the site of inflammation such as liniments, lotions, creams, ointments or pastes, and drops suitable for administration to the eye, ear or nose. The active ingredient may comprise, for topical administration, from 0.001% to 10% w/w, for instance from 1% to 2% by weight of the formulation. It may however comprise as much as 10% w/w but preferably will comprise less than 5% w/w, more preferably from 0.1% to 1% w/w of the formulation.

Lotions according to the present invention include those suitable for application to the skin or eye. An eye lotion may comprise a sterile aqueous solution optionally containing a bactericide and may be prepared by methods similar to those for the preparation of drops. Lotions or liniments for application to the skin may also include an agent to hasten drying and to cool the skin, such as an alcohol or acetone, and/or a moisturizer such as glycerol or an oil such as castor oil or arachis oil.

Creams, ointments or pastes according to the present invention are semi-solid formulations of the active ingredient for external application. They may be made by mixing the active ingredient in finely-divided or powdered form, alone or in solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous fluid, with the aid of suitable machinery, with a greasy or non-greasy base. The base may comprise hydrocarbons such as hard, soft or liquid paraffin, glycerol, beeswax, a metallic soap; a mucilage; an oil of natural origin such as almond, corn, arachis, castor or olive oil; wool fat or its derivatives or a fatty acid such as steric or oleic acid together with an alcohol such as propylene glycol or a macrogel. The formulation may incorporate any suitable surface active agent such as an anionic, cationic or non-ionic surfactant such as a sorbitan ester or a polyoxyethylene derivative thereof. Suspending agents such as natural gums, cellulose derivatives or inorganic materials such as silicaceous silicas, and other ingredients such as lanolin, may also be included.

Drops according to the present invention may comprise sterile aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions and may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in a suitable aqueous solution of a bactericidal and/or fungicidal agent and/or any other suitable preservative, and preferably including a surface active agent. The resulting solution may then be clarified by filtration, transferred to a suitable container which is then sealed and sterilized by autoclaving or maintaining at 98-100° C. for half an hour. Alternatively, the solution may be sterilized by filtration and transferred to the container by an aseptic technique. Examples of bactericidal and fungicidal agents suitable for inclusion in the drops are phenylmercuric nitrate or acetate (0.002%), benzalkonium chloride (0.01%) and chlorhexidine acetate (0.01%). Suitable solvents for the preparation of an oily solution include glycerol, diluted alcohol and propylene glycol.

Compounds of formula (I) may be administered parenterally, that is by intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous intranasal, intrarectal, intravaginal or intraperitoneal admninistration. The subcutaneous and intramuscular forms of parenteral administration are generally preferred. Appropriate dosage forms for such administration may be prepared by conventional techniques. Compounds of Formula (I) may also be administered by inhalation, that is by intranasal and oral inhalation administration. Appropriate dosage forms for such administration, such as an aerosol formulation or a metered dose inhaler, may be prepared by conventional techniques.

For all methods of use disclosed herein for the compounds of Formula (I), the daily oral dosage regimen will preferably be from about 0.1 to about 80 mg/kg of total body weight, preferably from about 0.2 to 30 mg/kg, more preferably from about 0.5 mg to 15 mg. The daily parenteral dosage regimen about 0.1 to about 80 mg/kg of total body weight, preferably from about 0.2 to about 30 mg/kg, and more preferably from about 0.5 mg to 15 mg/kg. The daily topical dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.1 mg to 150 mg, administered one to four, preferably two or three times daily. The daily inhalation dosage regimen will preferably be from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg per day. It will also be recognized by one of skill in the art that the optimal quantity and spacing of individual dosages of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof will be determined by the nature and extent of the condition being treated, the form, route and site of administration, and the particular patient being treated, and that such optimums can be determined by conventional techniques. It will also be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the optimal course of treatment, i.e., the number of doses of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof given per day for a defined number of days, can be ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional course of treatment determination tests.

The invention will now be described by reference to the following biological examples which are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

The cytokine-inhibiting effects of compounds of the present invention were determined by the following in vitro assays:

Interleukin-1 (IL-1)

Human peripheral blood monocytes were isolated and purified from either fresh blood preparations from volunteer donors, or from blood bank buffy coats, according to the procedure of Colotta et al, J Immunol, 132, 936 (1984). These monocytes (1×10⁶) were plated in 24-well plates at a concentration of 1-2 million/ml per well. The cells were allowed to adhere for 2 hours, after which time non-adherent cells were removed by gentle washing. Test compounds were then added to the cells for 1 h before the addition of lipopolysaccharide (50 ng/ml), and the cultures were incubated at 37° C. for an additional 24 h. At the end of this period, culture super-natants were removed and clarified of cells and all debris. Culture supernatants were then immediately assayed for IL-1 biological activity, either by the method of Simon et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 84, 85, (1985) (based on ability of IL-1 to stimulate a Interleukin 2 producing cell line (EL-4) to secrete IL-2, in concert with A23187 ionophore) or the method of Lee et al., J. ImmunoTherapy, 6 (1), 1-12 (1990) (ELISA assay). Many of the exemplified compounds of Formula (I) herein have been shown to be inhibitors of in vitro IL-1 produced by human monocytes.

Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)

Human peripheral blood monocytes were isolated and purified from either blood bank buffy coats or plateletpheresis residues, according to the procedure of Colotta, R. et al., J Immunol, 132(2), 936 (1984). The monocytes were plated at a density of 1×10⁶ cells/ml medium/well in 24-well multi-dishes. The cells were allowed to adhere for 1 hour after which time the supernatant was aspirated and fresh medium (1 ml, RPMI-1640, Whitaker Biomedical Products, Whitaker, Calif.) containing 1% fetal calf serum plus penicillin and streptomycin (10 units/ml) added. The cells were incubated for 45 minutes in the presence or absence of a test compound at 1 nM-10 mM dose ranges (compounds were solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide/ethanol, such that the final solvent concentration in the culture medium was 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide/0.5% ethanol). Bacterial lipopoly-saccharide (E. coli 055:B5 [LPS] from Sigma Chemicals Co.) was then added (100 ng/ml in 10 ml phosphate buffered saline) and cultures incubated for 16-18 hours at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ incubator. At the end of the incubation period, culture supernatants were removed from the cells, centrifuged at 3000 rpm to remove cell debris. The supernatant was then assayed for TNF activity using either a radio-immuno or an ELISA assay, as described in WO 92/10190 and by Becker et al., J Immunol, 1991, 147, 4307. Compounds of Formula (I) have been shown to be inhibitors of in vitro TNF produced by human monocytes.

IL-1 and TNF inhibitory activity does not seem to correlate with the property of the compounds of Formula (I) in mediating arachidonic acid metabolism inhibition. Further the ability to inhibit production of prostaglandin and/or leukotriene synthesis, by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with potent cyclooxygenase and/or lipoxygenase inhibitory activity does not mean that the compound will necessarily also inhibit TNF or IL-1 production, at non-toxic doses.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8)

Primary human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) (Cell Systems, Kirland, Wash.) are maintained in culture medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum and 1% CS-HBGF consisting of aFGF and heparin. The cells are then diluted 20-fold before being plated (250 μl) into gelating coated 96-well plates. Prior to use, culture medium are replaced with fresh medium (200 μl). Buffer or test compound (25 μl, at concentrations between 1 and 10 μM) is then added to each well in quadruplicate wells and the plates incubated for 6 h in a humidified incubator at 37° C. in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂. At the end of the incubation period, supernatant is removed and assayed for IL-8 concentration using an IL-8 ELISA kit obtained from R&D Systems (Minneapolis, Minn.). All data is presented as mean value (ng/ml) of multiple samples based on the standard curve. IC₅₀'s where appropriate are generated by non-linear regression analysis.

Cytokine Specific Binding Protein Assay

A radiocompetitive binding assay was developed to provide a highly reproducible primary screen for structure-activity studies. This assay provides many advantages over the conventional bioassays which utilize freshly isolated human monocytes as a source of cytokines and ELISA assays to quantify them. Besides being a much more facile assay, the binding assay has been extensively validated to highly correlate with the results of the bioassay. A specific and reproducible cytokine inhibitor binding assay was developed using soluble cystosolic fraction from THP.1 cells and a radiolabeled compound. Patent application U.S. Ser. No. 08/123,175 Lee et al., filed September 1993, U.S. Ser. No.; Lee et al., PCT 94/10529 filed Sep. 16, 1994 and Lee et al., Nature 300, n(72), 739-746 (December 1994) whose disclosures are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety describes the above noted method for screening drugs to identify compounds which interact with and bind to the cytokine specific binding protein (hereinafter CSBP). However, for purposes herein the binding protein may be in isolated form in solution, or in immobilized form, or may be genetically engineered to be expressed on the surface of recombinant host cells such as in phage display system or as fusion proteins. Alternatively, whole cells or cytosolic fractions comprising the CSBP may be employed in the creening protocol. Regardless of the form of the binding protein, a plurality of compounds are contacted with the binding protein under conditions sufficient to form a compound/binding protein complex and compound capable of forming, enhancing or interfering with said complexes are detected. All of the exemplified compounds of Formula (I) herein have been shown to be active in this assay, generally having an IC50<50 um.

CSBP Kinase Assay

This assay measures the CSBP-catalyzed transfer of ³²P from [a-³²P]ATP to threonine residue in an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-derived peptide (T669) with the following sequence: KRELVEPLTPSGEAPNQALLR (residues 661-681). (See Gallagher et al., “Regulation of Stress Induced Cytokine Production by Pyridinyl imidazoles: Inhibition of CSPB Kinase”, BioOrganic & Medicinal Chemistry, to be published 1996).

Kinase reactions (total volume 30 ul) contain: 25 mM Hepes buffer, pH 7.5; 10 mM MgCl₂; 170 uM ATP⁽¹⁾; 10 uM Na ortho vanadate; 0.4 mM T669 peptide; and 20-80 ng of yeast-expressed purified CSBP2 (see Lee et al., Nature 300, n(72), 739-746 (December 1994)). Compounds (5 ul from [6×] stock⁽²⁾) are pre-incubated with the enzyme and peptide for 20 min on ice prior to starting the reactions with 32P/MgATP. Reactions are incubated at 30° C. for 10 min and stopped by adding 10 ul of 0.3 M phosphoric acid. 32P-labeled peptide is separated on phosphocellulose (Wattman, p81) filters by spotting 30 ul reaction mixture. Filters are washed 3 times with 75 mM phosphoric acid followed by 2 washes with H₂O, and counted for 32P.

⁽¹⁾ The Km of CSBP for ATP was determined to be 170 uM. Therefore, compounds screened at the Km value of ATP.

⁽²⁾ Compounds are usually dissolved in DMSO and are diluted in 25 mM Hepes buffer to get final concentration of DMSO of 0.17%.

A number of the exemplified compounds of Formula (I) specifically noted herein have been shown to be active in this assay.

TNF-α in Traumatic Brain Injury Assay

The present assay provides for examination of the expression of tumor necrosis faxtor mRNA in specific brain regions which follow experimentally induced lateral fluid-percussion traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=42) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to lateral fluid-percussion brain injury of moderate severity (2.4 atm.) centered over the left temporaparietal cortex (n=18), or “sham” treatment (anesthesia and surgery without injury, n=18). Animals were sacrificed by decapitation at 1, 6 and 24 hr. post injury, brains removed, and tissue samples of left (injured) parietal cortex (LC), corresponding area in the contralateral right cortex (RC), cortex adjacent to injured parietal cortex (LA), corresponding adjacent area in the right cortex (RA), left hippocampus (LH) and right hippocampus (RH) were prepared. Total RNA was isolated and Northern blot hybridization was performed and quantitated relative to an TNF-α positive control RNA (macrophage=100%). A marked increase of TNF-α mRNA expression was observed in LH (104±17% of positive control, p<0.05 compared with sham), LC (105±21%, p<0.05) and LA (69±8%, p<0.01) in the traumatized hemisphere 1 hr. following injury. An increased TNF-α mRNA expression was also observed in LH (46±8%, p<0.05), LC (30±3%, p<0.01) and LA (32±3%, p<0.01) at 6 hr. which resolved by 24 hr. following injury. In the contralateral hemisphere, expression of TNF-α mRNA was increased in RH (46±2%, p<0.01), RC (4±3%) and RA (22±8%) at 1 hr. and in RH (28±11%), RC (7±5%) and RA (26±6%, p<0.05) at 6 hr. but not at 24 hr. following injury. In sham (surgery without injury) or naive animals, no consistent changes in expression of TNF-α mRNA was observed in any of the 6 brain areas in either hemisphere at any times. These results indicate that following parasagittal fluid-percussion brain injury, the temporal expression of TNF-α mRNA is altered in specific brain regions, including those of the non-traumatized hemisphere. Since TNF-α is able to induce nerve growth factor (NGF) and stimulate the release of other cytokines from activated astrocytes, this post-traumatic alteration in gene expression of TNF-α plays an important role in both the acute and regenerative response to CNS trauma.

CNS Injury Model for IL-β mRNA

This assay characterizes the regional expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA in specific brain regions following experimental lateral fluid-percussion traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=42) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to lateral fluid-percussion brain injury of moderate severity (2.4 atm.) centered over the left temporaparietal cortex (n=18), or “sham” treatment (anesthesia and surgery without injury). Animals were sacrificed at 1, 6 and 24 hr. post injury, brains removed, and tissue samples of left (injured) parietal cortex (LC), corresponding area in the contralateral right cortex (RC), cortex adjacent to injured parietal cortex (LA), corresponding adjacent area in the right cortex (RA), left hippocampus (LH) and right hippocampus (RH) were prepared. Total RNA was isolated and Northern blot hybridization was performed and the quantity of brain tissue IL-1β mRNA is presented as percent relative radioactivity of IL-1β positive macrophage RNA which was loaded on same gel. At 1 hr. following brain injury, a marked and significant increase in expression of IL-1β mRNA was observed in LC (20.0±0.7% of positive control, n=6, p<0.05 compared with sham animal), LH (24.5±0.9%, p<0.05) and LA (21.5±3.1%, p<0.05) in the injured hemisphere, which remained elevated up to 6 hr. post injury in the LC (4.0±0.4%, n=6, p<0.05) and LH (5.0±1.3%, p<0.05). In sham or naive animals, no expression of IL-1β mRNA was observed in any of the respective brain areas. These results indicate that following TBI, the temporal expression of IL-1β mRNA is regionally stimulated in specific brain regions. These regional changes in cytokines, such as IL-1β play a role in the post-traumatic pathologic or regenerative sequelae of brain injury.

All publications, including but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth.

The above description fully discloses the invention including preferred embodiments thereof. Modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed herein are within the scope of the following claims. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the are can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. Therefore the Examples herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation of the scope of the present invention in any way. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a CNS injury to the brain, in a mammal in need of such treatment, which method comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I)

wherein: R₁ is 4-pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, quinazolin-4-yl, quinolyl, isoquinolinyl, 1-imidazolyl or 1-benzimidazolyl which is optionally substituted with one or two substituents each of which is independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkylthio, NH₂, mono- or di-C₁₋₆-alkylamino or N-heterocyclyl ring which ring has from 5 to 7 members and optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₂₂; R₂ is hydrogen, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)OR₁₂, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NHS(O)₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NO₂, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CN, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)SO₂R₂₅, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)OR₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(Z)NR₁₃OR₁₂, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)N(OR₂₁)C(Z)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)C(═NOR₂₁)R₁₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(═NR₂₇)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)OC(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₁₀C(Z)OR₁₀, 5-(R₂₅)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl or 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl; wherein the cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclylalkyl moieties may be optionally substituted; n is 0, or an integer from 1 to 10; n′ is an integer having a value of 1 to 10; m is 0, or the integer having a value of 1 or 2; m′ is an integer having a value of 1 or 2; m″ is an integer having a value of 1 or 2; m′″ is 0, or an integer of 1; v is 0, or an integer having a value of 1 to 5; t is a number having a value of 1, 2 or 3; R₃ is X_(a)P(Z)(X_(b)R₁₃)₂ or Q—(Y₁)_(t); Q is an aryl or heteroaryl group; X_(a) is —NR₈—, —O—, —S— or a C₁₋₁₀ alkylene chain optionally substituted by C₁₋₄ alkyl and optionally interrupted by —NR₈—, —O— or —S—; X_(b) is —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n), —NR₈—, —O— or —S—; Z is oxygen or sulfur; Y₁ is independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₅ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₅ alkyl, halogen, X_(a)—P(Z)—(X_(b)R₁₃)₂ or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)Y₂; Y₂ is OR₈, NO₂, S(O)_(m″)R₁₁, SR₈, S(O)_(m″)OR₈, S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, —NR₈R₉, O(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)NR₈R₉, C(O)R₈, CO₂R₈, CO₂(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n′)CONR₈R₉, ZC(O)R₈, CN, C(Z)NR₈R₉, NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, C(Z)NR₈OR₉, NR₁₀C(Z)NR₈R₉, NR₁₀S(O)_(m″)R₁₁, N(OR₂₁)C(Z)NR₈R₉, N(OR₂₁)C(Z)R₈, C(═NOR₂₁)R₈, NR₁₀C(═NR₁₅)SR₁₁, NR₁₀C(═NR₁₅)NR₈R₉, NR₁₀C(═CR₁₄R₂₄)SR₁₁, NR₁₀C(═CR₁₄R₂₄)NR₈R₉, NR₁₀C(O)C(O)NR₈R₉, NR₁₀C(O)C(O)OR₁₀—C(═NR₁₃)NR₈R₉, C(═NOR₁₃)NR₈R₉, C(═NR₁₃)ZR₁₁, OC(Z)NR₈R₉, NR₁₀S(O)_(m″)CF₃, NR₁₀C(Z)OR₁₀, 5-(R₁₈)-1,2,4-oxadizaol-3-yl or 4-(R₁₂)-5-(R₁₈R₁₉)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl; R₄ is phenyl, naphth-1-yl or naphth-2-yl which is optionally substituted by one or two substituents, each of which is independently selected, and which, for a 4-phenyl, 4-naphth-1-yl or 5-naphth-2-yl substituent, is halo, cyano, C(Z)NR₇R₁₇, C(Z)OR₂₃, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′″)COR₃₆, SR₅, SOR₅, OR₃₆, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, ZC(Z)R₃₆, NR₁₀C(Z)R₂₃, or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′″)NR₁₀R₂₀ and which, for other positions of substitution, is halo, cyano, C(Z)NR₁₆R₂₆, C(Z)OR₈, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(v)COR₈, S(O)_(m)R₈, OR₈, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(v)NR₁₀C(Z)R₈, NR₁₀S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, NR₁₀S(O)_(m′)NR₇R₁₇ZC(Z)R₈ or (CR₁₀R₂₀)_(m′)NR₁₆R₂₆; R₅ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl or NR₇R₁₇, excluding the moieties SR₅ being SNR₇R₁₇ and SOR₅ being —SOH; R₆ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl or C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl; R₇ and R₁₇ is each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl or R₇ and R₁₇ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₂₂; R₈ is hydrogen, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl or R₁₁; R₉ is hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl or R₈ and R₉ may together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂; R₁₀ and R₂₀ is each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R₁₁ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; R₁₂ is hydrogen, —C(Z)R₁₃ or optionally substituted C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylC₁₋₄ alkyl, or S(O)₂R₂₅; R₁₃ is hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaryl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; R₁₄ and R₂₄ is each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, nitro or cyano; R₁₅ is hydrogen, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl or aryl; R₁₆ and R₂₆ is each independently selected from hydrogen or optionally substituted C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or together with the nitrogen which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring of 5 to 7 members which ring optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR₁₂; R₁₈ and R₁₉ is each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylalkyl or together denote a oxygen or sulfur; R₂₁ is hydrogen, a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, aryl, aryl C₁₋₄ alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, aroyl, or C₁₋₁₀ alkanoyl; R₂₂ is R₁₀ or C(Z)—C₁₋₄ alkyl; R₂₃ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl; R₃₆ is hydrogen or R₂₃; R₂₅ is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C₁₋₁₀alkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; R₂₇ is hydrogen, cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, or aryl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the CNS injury is ischemic stroke.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the CNS injury is caused by surgery, or is an open head injury.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the CNS injury is a closed head injury.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein (Y₁)_(t) is hydrogen.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein, in R₃, the group Q comprises an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl moiety.
 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein Q is a phenyl substituted one to three times by halogen, halosubstituted alkyl, or —(CR₁₀R₂₀)_(n)Y₂ and Y₂ is —OR₈, —S(O)_(m′)R₁₁, —SR₈, —S(O)_(m)NR₈R₉, or —NR₈R₉.
 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein R₄ is phenyl substituted one or more times independently by halogen, —SR₅, —S(O)R₅, —OR₁₂, halo-substituted-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 9. The method according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is an optionally substituted 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the optional substituent is alkoxy, alkylthio, alkyl sulfinyl, or amino.
 11. The method according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, optionally substituted heterocylcyl, optionally substituted heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀ alkyl, optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, or optionally substituted C₃₋₇cycloalkyl C₁₋₁₀ alkyl.
 12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound is: 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazol-2-yl]benzamidoxime; 4-(1-Napthyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(1-Napthyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(2-Napthyl)-2-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(2-Napthyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(3-thiophene)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-thiophene)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(3-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fuorophenyl)-2-(2-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-1-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 